The Words of Gandhi

“Don't be dazzled by the splendor that comes to you from the West.. Do not be thrown off your feet by this passing show. The Enlightened One has told you in never-to-be-forgotten words that this little span of life is but a passing shadow, a fleeting thing, and if you realize the nothingness of all that appears before your eyes, the nothingness of this material case that we see before us ever changing, then indeed there are treasures for you up above, and there is peace for you down here, peace which passes all understanding, and happiness to which we are utter strangers. It requires an amazing faith, a divine faith and surrender of all that we see before us. “

“In India we have three million people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day, and that

meal consists of a chapati containing no fat in it and a pinch of salt. You and I have no right to anything we have until these three millions are clothed and fed better. You and I, who ought to know better, must adjust our wants, and even undergo voluntary starvation in order that they may be nursed, fed and clothed. “

“God alone is the judge of 1he true greatness because He knows men's hearts. “

“The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization is an indefinite multiplicity of human wants. The characteristic of ancient civilizations is an imperative restriction upon and a strict regulating of these wants”

“If I preach against the modern artificial life of s,ensua1 enjoyment, and ask men and women to go back to the simple life epitomized in the charkha, I do so because I know that without an intelligent return to simplicity, there is no escape from our descent to a state lower than brutality. “

“The golden rule ... is resolutely to refuse to have what millions cannot. This ability to refuse will not descend upon us all of a sudden. The first thing is to cultivate the mental attitude that will not have possessions or facilities denied to millions, and the next immediate thing is to rearrange our lives as fast as possible in accordance with that mentality. “

From the movie Gandhi'

"You're an ambitious man, Mr. Gandhi". Gandhi's reply,"1 hope not",

"Humility and truth are stronger than any empire.'

"An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind."

“.. Not with violence that will inflame their will but with a firmness that will open their eyes" (Gandhi's opinion on taking violent action against the British)